Revolutionary EV Charging Developments in USA, Japan, and China
Recently, some remarkable advancements in electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies in the USA, Japan, and China have made headlines. Wireless charging for EVs, once considered an impractical and inefficient dream, is now becoming a reality in Japan’s futuristic smart city, Kashiwa-no-ha. Meanwhile, China is all set to unveil a game-changing EV with astonishingly high charging capabilities, dubbed the “Li Mega”.
The Evolution of Wireless EV Charging
Less than a decade ago, wireless EV charging was often dismissed as an impractical concept with concerns about low efficiency and slow speeds. Fast forward to today, technological advancements have dramatically changed the game. For instance, the smart city Kashiwa-no-ha, located near Tokyo, is in the process of installing wireless EV charging infrastructure under its roads at key intersections. The aim is to allow EV drivers to conveniently charge their vehicles while waiting at traffic signals.
Potential Widespread Adoption of Wireless EV Charging
While it’s still somewhat nascent technology, it holds enormous promise. The project is a collaboration between the University of Tokyo, University of Chiba, and nine additional businesses, including Bridgestone, the tire giant. Notably, the Japanese Ministry of Transportation also has a stake in it. The hope is for this to eventually lead to a commercial rollout throughout Tokyo and other regions.
Impressive Charging Speed
One remarkable aspect of this innovative project is the high-speed charging rate. It is estimated that driving over these charging coils for 10 seconds equates to approximately an added 1 km of range. To put it in simple terms, this means gaining 60 km of range in merely 10 minutes. According to reports, the maximum charging rate stands at around 150 kW, on par with the original Tesla Superchargers.
There’s no denying the appeal of this convenience. Although home charging is quite handy for many EV owners, the ability to get an automatic “top-up” while on your daily errands seems unbeatable.
The Power of Lightning Speed Charging
While wireless charging makes strides, in China, Li Auto is preparing to shock the world with its new EV model, the Li Mega, an extraordinarily high-end electric vehicle capable of charging at a mind-blowing speed of up to 552 kW. What’s even more staggering is that even at 80% battery capacity, the vehicle can still maintain a 315 kW charge rate.
Li Mega’s Astonishing Charging Capacity
The Li Mega has a 5C charge rate due to the CATL Qilin battery installed in it. Simply put, a 5C charge rate refers to the battery’s ability to be charged five times in an hour. In the context of Li Mega, it means the battery can be charged completely in approximately 12 minutes. It’s noteworthy that the vehicle can achieve 80% state of charge (SOC) from just 6% in a mere 11 minutes and two seconds.
Surely, these technological advancements are milestones in the EV industry. The progress in wireless charging and the development of high kW capacity EVs suggest a promising future for this sector, enabling faster charging, greater convenience, and potentially more widespread adoption of EVs.
